1[July 1781] (Adams Papers)
Expences of a Journey from Amsterdam to Paris. Sat off the 2d of July from Amsterdam, passed by Utrecht, Gorcum, Breda, Antwerp, Brussells, Valenciennes &c. and arrived at the Hotel de Valois Rue de Richelieu, Paris the 6th of July, 1781. £ s d July 6. 1781. Expences, on the Road, Fifty four Ducats 1781. July 9. Reed, of Mr. F. Grand at Paris four Thousand Eight hundred Livres, for which I...
2[Accounts, July 1781.] (Adams Papers)
Expences of a Journey from Amsterdam to Paris. Sat off the 2d of July from Amsterdam, passed by Utrecht, Gorcum, Breda, Antwerp, Brussells, Valenciennes &c. and arrived at the Hotel de Valois Rue de Richelieu, Paris the 6th of July, 1781. £ s d July 6. 1781. Expences, on the Road, Fifty four Ducats 1781. July 9. Reed, of Mr. F. Grand at Paris four Thousand Eight hundred Livres, for which I...
3[February 1781] (Adams Papers)
Went to the Hague, in the Trecht Schuit. At Leyden I have seen Mr. Vander Kemp, and Mr. and Mr. I also visited two large Manufactures, one of Cloth, another of Camblet. Canal boat or tow-boat. “... partly by the Trech Schuits, that is the Barks which ply in this Country in the Canals” ( JA to Huntington, 6 April 1781 , LbC , Adams Papers ). JA spells the word in a multitude of ways. Francois...
41781 Feb. 28. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
At the Arms of Amsterdam. What can be the Ground of the Malice, of so many, against America? This implies that JA had given up his lodgings at Madame Schorn’s in the Agterburgwal. During the early months of 1781 he was much on the move between Amsterdam, Leyden, and The Hague, but on 27 April he wrote Edmund Jenings: “I have taken an House on the Keysers Gragt near the Spiegel Straat, and am...
51781. Feb 24 [i.e. 23]. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Hague, in the Trecht Schuit. At Leyden I have seen Mr. Vander Kemp, and Mr. and Mr. I also visited two large Manufactures, one of Cloth, another of Camblet. Canal boat or tow-boat. “... partly by the Trech Schuits, that is the Barks which ply in this Country in the Canals” ( JA to Huntington, 6 April 1781 , LbC , Adams Papers ). JA spells the word in a multitude of ways. Francois...
6[January 1781] (Adams Papers)
Returned from the Hague to Leyden. Was present from 12. to one O Clock, when the Praeceptor gave his Lessons in Latin and Greek to my Sons. His Name is Wenshing. He is apparently a great Master of the two Languages, besides which he speaks French and Dutch very well, understands little English, but is desirous of learning it. He obliges his Pupills to be industrious, and they have both made a...
71781. Monday. Jan. 15. (Adams Papers)
Visited old Mr. Crommelin and Mr. De Neufville. There is a wonderful Consternation among the Merchants. Many Houses have great difficulty to support their Credit.
81781. Sunday. Jan. 14. (Adams Papers)
Questions.—How many Ships of War, are determined to be equipped? How much Money have the States General granted for the Navy? Have the States General resolved to issue Letters of Marque? Are the Letters issued? Is there a Disposition to demand them? Will there be many Privateers? How many? Will the Manifesto be published? When? How many Troops are ordered to Zealand? Have the States General...
913 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Returned to Amsterdam, having dined at Haerlem, at the Golden Lion. Went in the Evening to see Ingraham and Sigourney and C ommodore Gillon. Chez la V euv e Wynen, dans le premier Wezelstraat, à main gauche. Address of Cerisier. “There are three Gentlemen, in the Mercantile Way, Mr. Sigourney, Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Bromfield, who are now in this City, and propose to reside here and establish a...
1012. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Mitchel, Mr. Luzac, Dr. Waterhouse, Mr. Thaxter and my two Sons supped with me at the Cour de Holland.
111781 January 11. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Returned from the Hague to Leyden. Was present from 12. to one O Clock, when the Praeceptor gave his Lessons in Latin and Greek to my Sons. His Name is Wenshing. He is apparently a great Master of the two Languages, besides which he speaks French and Dutch very well, understands little English, but is desirous of learning it. He obliges his Pupills to be industrious, and they have both made a...
12[Miscellaneous Memoranda in Amsterdam, August–September 1780.] (Adams Papers)
H. Grotius, de Jure Belli ac Pacis. C. van Bynkershoek G. Noodt Opera Apologeticus eorum qui Hollandiae praefuerunt ab H. Grotio Considerations sur l’Etude de la Jurisprudence par M. Perrenot. Janiçon Republik der Vereenigde Nederlanden Ploos Van Amstel, the first Lawyer of Holland. Mr. Calkoen the next. Heerens Gragt, pres Vissel Straat. Burgomaester Hooft. Q. A Society or Academy for the...
Mr. John de Neufville, et Fils. Le Chr. de Luxembourg. Le Chr. de Launay. Cs. Van der Oudermeulen M. Grand. M. Fizeaux. G. H. Matthes. Henry du Bois. Hodshon Mr. Jean Luzac, Avocat, Leide. Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst. Mr. Vinman. Mr. John Gabriel Tegelaer, by the new Market. Mr. Daniel Crommelin and Sons. This undated list appears on the last page but one of D/JA/31, separated from the...
14[August 1780] (Adams Papers)
Lodged at the Mareschall De Turenne. Dined with Mr. Dubblemets. Went to see the Statue of Erasmus, the Exchange, the Churches &c. Mr. Dubblemets sent his Coach in the Evening and one of his Clerks. We rode, round the Environs of the Town, then to his Country Seat, where We supped.—The Meadows are very fine, the Horses and Cattle large. The Intermixture of Houses, Trees, Ships, and Canals...
15[30 August.] (Adams Papers)
School op de Cingel. 30 of August, my Sons went to the Latin School. Dined at Mr. Vanberkles Pensionary of Amsterdam, with Mr. Bicker and an Officer of the Army. Mr. Calkoen Keyzers Gragt. This was the well-known Latin school or academy on the Singel (a canal in the heart of Amsterdam) near the Muntplein (Mint Square). The building is now occupied by the Amsterdam police. There is a...
1629 Aug. (Adams Papers)
30 Wednesday. Mr. Vanberckle 31 Thursday. Mr. Crommelin opde Keyzers Gragt. 1 Fryday. Mrs. Chabanels. 3 Sunday. M. De Neuville, De Neuville 6 Wednesday. Bicker 7 Thursday. 10 Sunday. Cromelin 12 Tuesday. Grand 13 Wednesday. Chabanell 14 Thursday. De Neufville This list of engagements appears on the last page but one of D/JA/32. The entries may or may not have all been put down on 29 Aug.;...
171780 Aug. 28th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Heeren Graagt, by de Veisel Straagt. Burgomaster Hooft, D.Z. Mr. Hartzinck. Scheepen. Heeren Gragt. M. G. H. Matthes.—burgwal opposite the Lombard. J. Vandevelde. Agter zyds burgwal. Mr. Hartzinck is the Son in Law of Madam Chabanel, Mr. Le Roy’s Aunt. Keep us poor. Depress Us. Keep Us weak. Make Us feel our Obligations. Impress our Minds with a Sense of Gratitude. Let Europe see our...
181778 [i.e. 1780] Aug. 6. (Adams Papers)
Went to the English Presbyterian Church, and heard a sensible sermon, the mode of Worship differs in nothing from ours but in the organ, whose Musick joins in the Singing.
191778 [i.e. 1780] Aug. 5. (Adams Papers)
Lodged at the Mareschall De Turenne. Dined with Mr. Dubblemets. Went to see the Statue of Erasmus, the Exchange, the Churches &c. Mr. Dubblemets sent his Coach in the Evening and one of his Clerks. We rode, round the Environs of the Town, then to his Country Seat, where We supped.—The Meadows are very fine, the Horses and Cattle large. The Intermixture of Houses, Trees, Ships, and Canals...
20[July 1780] (Adams Papers)
Setting off on a Journey, with my two Sons to Amsterdam. —Lodged at Compiegne. Fryday night, lodged at Valenciennes. Saturday arrived at Brussells.—This Road is through the finest Country, I have any where seen. The Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Peas, Beans and several other Grains, the Hemp, Flax, Grass, Clover, Lucerne, St. Foin, &c., the Pavements and Roads are good. The Rows of Trees, on each...
211780. July 30. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Cathedral Church. A great Feast. An infinite Crowd. The Church more splendidly ornamented than any that I had seen. Hung with Tapestrie. The Church Music here is in the Italian style. A Picture in Tapestry was hung up, of a No. of Jews stabbing the Wafer, the bon Dieu, and blood gushing in streams, from the B read . This insufferable Piece of pious Villany, shocked me beyond...
22[Personal Expenditures, February–July 1780.] (Adams Papers)
1780 £ s d Feby. 13th. Joseph Stevens for three Month Wages. 30 Dolls. 150: 0: 0 15th. John Thaxter for thirty Louis D’Ors on Account 720: 0: 0 15th. Joseph Stevens for Sundries bo’t 31: 4: 0
231780 July 27. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Setting off on a Journey, with my two Sons to Amsterdam. —Lodged at Compiegne. Fryday night, lodged at Valenciennes. Saturday arrived at Brussells.—This Road is through the finest Country, I have any where seen. The Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Peas, Beans and several other Grains, the Hemp, Flax, Grass, Clover, Lucerne, St. Foin, &c., the Pavements and Roads are good. The Rows of Trees, on each...
24[February 1780] (Adams Papers)
Dined Yesterday, at the Hotel D’Angleterre, with Mr. Maccartey, Mr. Delap, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Bondfield, and my Company, at the Invitation of Sir Robert Finlay. Towards Evening Mr. Cabarras came in with the News of a Blow struck by Rodney upon the Spaniards, off Gibraltar. On Wednesday, the second of Feb. We took Post for Paris, and on Fryday the 4 arrived at Coué, where We lodged, but in the...
251780 Feb. 5. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday, the second of Feb. We took Post for Paris, and on Fryday the 4 arrived at Coué, where We lodged, but in the night it rained and froze at the same time untill the Roads were a glare of Ice, so that the Postillions informed Us, it was impossible for their Horses which in this Country are never frosted to go. We passed by Angouleme Yesterday Morning and encircled almost the whole...
261780. Feb. 1. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined Yesterday, at the Hotel D’Angleterre, with Mr. Maccartey, Mr. Delap, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Bondfield, and my Company, at the Invitation of Sir Robert Finlay. Towards Evening Mr. Cabarras came in with the News of a Blow struck by Rodney upon the Spaniards, off Gibraltar.
27[January 1780] (Adams Papers)
Arrived at Villa Franca, Seven Leagues. The Road at first was very bad. Steep, sharp Pitches, ragged Rocks, &c. We then came into the Road of Leon, which is made seemingly out of a Rock. It was an excellent Road for a League and an half. We then came to a River, and travelled along the Banks of it for some Leagues. This Way was as bad as the other was good. Miry, rocky, up and down untill We...
281780 January 31. Monday. (Adams Papers)
On the 20th We left Bilbao, arrived at Bayonne the 23d. Staid one day, there. Sat off for Bourdeaux the 25th. Arrived at Bourdeaux Saturday 29th. Dined Yesterday at the Hotel D’Angleterre at the Invitation of Mr. Bondfield with Sir Robert Finlay and Mr. Le Texier and Mr. Vernon. Went to the Comedy, saw Amphitrion and Cartouche. Mr. A rthur L ee at Paris. Mr. I zard at Amsterdam. Mr. W illiam L...
291780. January 19. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Went down the River, on a Visit to the Rambler a Letter of Mark, of 18 Guns, belonging to Mr. Andrew Cabot of Beverly, Captain Lovatt Commander, and the Phoenix a Brig of 14 Guns belonging to Messrs. Traceys at N ewbury Port, Captain Babson Commander. We were honoured, with two Salutes of 13 Guns each, by Babson and with one by Lovat. We dined at the Tavern on shore and had an agreable day....
301780. January. 18. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Spent the Day in Walking about the Town. Walked round the Wharf upon the River, through the Market. Saw a plentiful Markett of Fruit and Vegetables, Cabages, Turnips, Carrots, Beets, Onions &c. Apples, Pairs &c. Raisens, Figs, nuts &c—Went as far as the Gate, where We entered the Town—then turned up the Mountain by the Stone Stairs, and saw fine Gardens, Verdure and Vegetation. Returned, and...
3117. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Dined, with the two Messrs. Gardoquis and a Nephew of theirs. After Dinner the Gentlemen accompanied Us, to the Parish Church over the Way, then to the old Parish Church of St. Iago, which was certainly standing in the Year 1300. The high Altar appears very ancient, wrought in Wooden figures, the Work very neat. The Choir, and the Sacristie &c. as in all others.—We then went to the Chambers of...
32January 16. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Reposed and wrote. Among other letters written this day JA addressed a very long one to Pres. Huntington devoted mainly to the geography, commerce, and governmental administration of the maritime provinces of Galicia and Biscay ( PCC , No. 84, I; copied from LbC , Adams Papers , into JA ’s Autobiography under its date ).
331780. January 15. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Followed the Road by the Side of the River, between two Rows of Mountains, untill We opened upon Bilboa. We saw the Sugar Loaf some time before. This is a Mountain, in the shape of a Piramid, which is called the Sugar Loaf. The Town is surrounded with Mountains.—The Tavern where We are is tolerable, situated between a Church and a Monastry. We have been entertained with the Musick of the...
341780. January 14. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Ezpexo to Orduña, four Leagues. The Road is made all the Way, at a great Expence, but the Descent of the Mountains of Orduña is a great Curiosity. These Mountains are chiefly Rocks, of a vast hight: But a Road has been blown out of the Rocks, from the Hight of the Mountains, quite down into the Valey. After winding round and round a great Way, and observing the Marks of the Drills...
351780. January 13. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Bribiesca to Pancourbo where we dined. We passed thro Courbo, which is a little Village with half a dozen other small Villages in Sight. In every one of them is a Church. Pancourbo is at the Beginning of the Rocks. There is the Appearance of an ancient Carriage Way, up the steepest Part of the Rocks. We passed between two Rows of Mountains consisting wholly of Rocks, the most lofty,...
361780. January 12. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Arrived at Bribiesca, where there are two Convents, one of Men, the other of Women, both Franciscans, and two Parish Churches. The Tavern We are in is a large House and there are twelve good Beds in it, for Lodgers. Yet no Chimneys, and the same Indelicacy as in all the others.—Smoke and dirt, yet they give us clean Sheets. A Spanish Kitchen is one of the greatest Curiosities in the World, and...
371780. January. 11th. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Arrived at Burgos. We came from Sellada el Camino, 4 Leagues. We had Fog, and Rain and Snow, all the Way, very chilly, and raw. When We arrived at the Tavern, (which is the best in the City, as I am informed, and my Servant went to examine the others,) We found no Chimney. A Pan of Coals in a Chamber without a Chimney was all the Heat We could get. We went to view the Cathedral, which is...
381780 January 8. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from San Juan Segun, to Paredese de Nava. We have passed thro a Village every League. The Villages are all built of Mud and Straw. They have no Timber nor Wood nor Stone. The Villages all appear going to decay. Every Village has Churches and Convents enough in it, to ruin it, and the whole Country round about it, even if they had nothing to pay to the King or the Landlord. But all three...
39[7? January 1780.] (Adams Papers)
I have not seen a Chimney in Spain, except one of the french Consul at Corunna. One or two half Imitations of Chimneys in the Kitchens are all that I have seen. The Weather is very cold, the frosts hard, and no fire when We stop, but a few Coals or a flash of Brush in the Kitchen, full of Smoke and dirt, and covered with a dozen Pots and Kettles, and surrounded by 20 People looking like...
406 Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Went to view the Cathedral Church which is magnificent, but not equal to that at Astorga if to that at Lugo. It was the day of the Feast of the King, and We happened to be at the Celebration of high Mass. We saw the Procession, of the Bishop and of all the Canons, in rich Habits of Silk, Velvet, Silver and Gold. The Bishop, as he turned the Corners of the Church, spread out his Hand to the...
411780. Jany. 5. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Astorga to Leon, eight Leagues. This is one great Plain. The Road very fine. Great Flocks of Sheep and Cattle. The Sheep of an handsome size, the fleeces of Wool thick, long and extremely fine. The soil rather thin and barren. We passed several smal Villages. The vast rang of Asturias Mountains covered with Snow on our left. The Weather as pleasant as could be, tho cold—some frost...
424. T[uesday]. (Adams Papers)
Found clean Beds and no fleas for the first Time in Spain. Walked twice, round the Walls of the City, which are very ancient. Saw the Road to Leon and Bayonne, and the Road to Madrid. There is a pleasant Prospect of the Country, from the Walls. Saw the Market of Vegetables, onions and Turnips the largest I ever saw, Cabbages, Carrots &c. Saw the Market of Fuel—Wood, Coal, Turf and brush. Saw...
433. M[onday]. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Astorga. We passed through the Town and Country of the Marragattoes. The Town is small—stands on a Brook in a great Plain. We met Coaches, and genteel People as We went into Astorga.
441780. January 2. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Villa franca de el Bierzo Rio P uen te. We dined at Ponferrada. We passed through several Villages and over Bridges and Rivers. We passed Campo de Narraya, Cacabelos Rio P uente and Ponferrada where We dined. The Country grows smoother. The cavalcade stopped this night at Bembibre, a village seven leagues beyond Villafranca del Bierzo; both JQA and Dana had difficulty spelling its...
451780. January 1st. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Arrived at Villa Franca, Seven Leagues. The Road at first was very bad. Steep, sharp Pitches, ragged Rocks, &c. We then came into the Road of Leon, which is made seemingly out of a Rock. It was an excellent Road for a League and an half. We then came to a River, and travelled along the Banks of it for some Leagues. This Way was as bad as the other was good. Miry, rocky, up and down untill We...
46[December 1779] (Adams Papers)
We are now supposed to be within 100 Leagues of Ferrol or Corunna, to one of which Places We are bound. The Leak in the Frigate, which keeps two Pomps constantly going, has determined the Captn. to put into Spain. This Resolution is an Embarrassment to me. Whether to travail by Land to Paris, or wait for the Frigate. Whether I can get Carriages, Horses, Mules &c. What Accommodations I can get...
47Decr. 31. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Galliego to Sebrero, Seven Leagues. The Journey Yesterday and to day has been very agreable. The Weather, remarkably fair, and dry, and the Roads not so bad as We expected. There is the grandest Profusion of wild irregular Mountains, that I ever saw—Yet laboured and cultivated every one, to its Summit. The Fields of Grain, are all green. We passed a Rang of Mountains that were white...
481779. Decr. 30. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
At Lugo, where We arrived Yesterday. We passed Yesterday the River Minho which originates in the Mountains of Asturies, and flows thro Portugal. We went to see the Cathedral Church at Lugo, which is very rich. A Youth came to me in the street and said he was a Bostonian, a Son of Mr. Thomas Hickling. Went a Privateering in an English Vessell and was taken by the Spaniards.—Unfortunately taken...
491779. Decr. 28. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Went from Castillan to Baamonde. The first Part of the Road, very bad, the latter Part tolerable. The whole Country We have passed, is very mountainous and rocky. There is here and there a Vally, and here and there a Farm that looks beautifully cultivated. But in general the Mountains are covered with Furze, and are not well cultivated. I am astonished to see so few Trees. Scarce an Elm, Oak,...
5027. (Adams Papers)
Travelled from Betanzos to Castillano. The Roads still mountainous and rocky. We broke one of our Axletrees, early in the day, which prevented Us from going more than 4 Leagues in the whole. The House where We lodge is of Stone, two Stories high. We entered into the Kitchen. No floor but the ground, and no Carpet but Straw, trodden into mire, by Men, Hogs, Horses, Mules, &c. In the Middle of...